William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
John William was born to parents Matthew and Anne (nee Richardson) at Usworth on 8 January 1879. The couple who married in 1878 had 12 children together but unfortunately Alice was born and died in 1901.
The 1901 census records the family living at South Railway Street Seaham Harbour. Also living with them at that time was Ann’s 68 year old father, Mansfield Richardson. The siblings included John William, Hannah, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary A., Mansfield, Stephen, Edward, James and Joseph Richardson.
John W. was working as a general labourer at the bottle works.
However, by 1911 the census showed 8 remaining family members living in a 2 roomed accommodation at 42 First Street Horden Colliery. Several of the young people had moved on to jobs and possibly been married. The girls have certainly moved by then.
Father Matthew worked as an underground shifter labourer in the mine as did most of his sons. Thomas as a labourer underground cleaner out, Stephen a coal putter, Edward a pony driver as was his younger brother, James. The 2 youngest lads Joseph and Matthew born 1902 were still at school.
James married his sweetheart, Alice Heads, on 24 May 1902. They had 5 children together but unfortunately one, Ann, died aged 2 years. The surviving children were Richard, Elizabeth Jane and Sarah. Another daughter, Hannah, was born on 26 October 1917 3 months after her father’s death.
In 1911 John was working as a coal miner hewer. The family lived at 30 Henry Street, Seaham Harbour.
John joined the army and was sent to France September 10th 1915. Unfortunately his service records are not available.
John died of wounds at the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland on 6 July 1917. He was buried at Princess Road Cemetery, Seaham on 11 July.
The inscription on his headstone reads :-“He died for those he loved “
Medals:-1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
His widow, Alice, married in 1919 Frederick Levitt.
John William Williams is not remembered on a local War Memorial.
